Where have they stated that? I've never seen them make any such statement....that there is enough current demand to fill 300+ suites (or 150+ suites if it's split) at CR AND fill a 4S resort across the lake. Can you point me to it?
Given what I know of resort demand, which admittedly isn't much, I can't see how it's true. If you can provide some concrete numbers or statements directly from Disney to contradict that....I'm more than wiling to reconsider.
You are correct I should have refrained from saying Disney has stated there is - they would never do that. If they did, you'd see hotels pop up around Orlando to fill that need. Obviously Disney keeps things tighter than that. But I also am 1 of the biggest believers that this building will be split between standard rooms to replace the lost wing, DVC rooms, and suites. I don't think we are talking 150-300 suites - at least I never was.
But we'll do some quick reads here. Obviously Disney thinks on-property demand for suites is high - or they wouldn't have worked with 4 seasons to move the development from Celebration to inside the park. Assuming it is average size, we are talking 200-300 suites in the 4 seasons (based on recent builds). Simply by making that agreement Disney is stating they expect that demand to be there.
In addition, there is the side comments about Disney selling out of suites regularly. But we'll assume the 4 seasons covers that - but don't forget - its not "Disney" and there is still value in the "Disney" name. There is also this:
Walt Disney World president Meg Crofton acknowledged the late arrival of Orlando, the nation's second biggest tourist city behind Las Vegas, to the world of luxury hotels.
"Orlando is now ranked No. 6 as a luxury destination," she said. "I think we can improve on that pretty quickly."
Well that makes them seem pretty interested, and this was in March - after the 4 Seasons announcement.
So lets look at what I mean by mixed use. We'll assume the CRV is a 16 floor building. Chop off 1 floor for 'services'. Make 4 floors general rooms to replace the wing that was lost. That leaves 11 floors. Mix those puppies up a bit - make 8 floors DVC and 3 floors suites... Without seeing the plans and adding in Conceirge type services we could put, what? 15 suites a floor? That would give us 45 suites? And the Grand Floridian already has 25? So its not a stretch.
So my point is they can mix and match how they please. To say it won't be suites isn't necessarily true. Disney has committed to a 4-star hotel on property. They've stated they see a market for the luxury destination. They are beginning to make luxury consumer products. The golf courses, spas, weddings, etc. are all designed to be extended to the 'luxury' crowd.
So, I agree there isn't a market to make a "suites" tower. But there also is a market to make some "suites" floors.
And to my original point - and maybe this deserves a survey - I think you will find a fair number of DVC owners who would be willing to pay significantly more for a DVC Suites program that was based on higher quality rooms and service. So you could even create some mixed DVC Suites/Suites type rooms and floors. If the Suites don't sell - rebrand them DVC. If the Suites sell and DVC doesn't, rebrand the DVC Suites as Suites. If they both sell - its off to the Floridian we go... (And the Grand Californian "Suites", etc, etc). I know this last part will be controversial - but I wouldn't be surprised to find out Disney is holding back some of the highly desirable locations for an "upscale" and more expensive DVC.
Chris
Are we just talking about how may rooms would be "dedicated" to rack rate vs. DVC?
I guess the DVC's aren't considered luxurious enough. In any case, I would think 4S would nab those customers now. 
